A Precautionary Consensus?

Abstract

This chapter aims to examine the cross-cutting trends, and indeed differences, in counter-terrorism law and policy across the three jurisdictions. In all three we can point to evidence of 'all-risks' policing, mass surveillance, broadly drafted legislation, a growing range of precursor offences and increasing resort to administrative over judicial authorities. Admittedly, this has occurred to varying degrees in the three jurisdictions and according to pre-established legislative patterns, practices and political cultures. There have also been marked differences in the application of these laws, emphasising the need for comparative research to examine the law in practice as well as the law in the books.